Hospice of Santa Barbara is partnering with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care to revitalize its work in the national No One Dies Alone program. The organizations will provide training that will allow their volunteers to offer compassionate bedside presence for patients with no friends or family available to be with them in the final 48-72 hours of life.

VNHC and HSB have teamed up to provide No One Dies Alone (NODA) training and make a pool of their trained volunteers available to work in shifts to offer their support to patients nearing death. Villa Alamar Senior Living, Buena Vista Care Center and Heritage House have all signed up to request services when appropriate, and the two nonprofits hope to add additional care facilities to the program.

“A lot goes through a person’s head when they know they’re so close to death, and we want to do everything we can to ensure nobody goes through this difficult time alone,” said Hospice of Santa Barbara CEO David Selberg. “We’re so proud to team up with Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care to bring this service to patients who need it completely free of charge.”

Before applying to complete NODA training, volunteers are required to have nine months of hospice volunteer experience. For more about the program and volunteer opportunities call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.

About Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care

Since 1908, Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care has been Santa Barbara’s trusted home care expert. Serving the greater Santa Barbara area, and Santa Ynez and Lompoc Valleys, VNHC provides high quality, comprehensive home health, hospice, and related services necessary to promote the health and well-being of all community residents. For more information on Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, visit www.vnhcsb.org or call (805) 965-5555.

About Hospice of Santa Barbara

Hospice of Santa Barbara “volunteers” its free professional counseling and care management services those who are experiencing the impact of a life-threatening illness, or grieving the death of a loved one. Hospice of Santa Barbara is also present on six local high school campuses to work with children and teens who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information about Hospice of Santa Barbara, including volunteer opportunities, call (805) 563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.

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California does not require licensing for volunteer hospices, so long as neither a charge is made for its services, nor is skilled nursing provided. The State Attorney General monitors operations.

Hospice of Santa Barbara

Compassionate Care, Freely Given

Hospice of Santa Barbara offesr free counseling, support groups, resources and community education meeting the emotional, social and spiritual needs of people facing or grieving the death of a loved one.